ALEXANDER ZVEREV GIVEN EIGHT-WEEK BAN FOR STRIKING UMPIRE’S CHAIR

World number three Alexander Zverez faces an eight-week ban from tennis if he repeats the behaviour which led to his expulsion from the Mexican Open.

Recall that in February, the Olympic champion was fined $40,000 and forfeited all his prize money for striking the umpire’s chair in Acapulco.

Zverez has now been found guilty of a ‘major offence’ after an ATP review and will be banned if he commits another similar offence within 12 months of the incident.

As well as the eight-week ban, the 24-year-old German has been handed a further suspended $25,000 and has until 11 March to appeal against the decision.